A recurring tempest in a teapot over Hendrix and Prince's respective abilities on the guitar followed the suggestion by some fans here that the RRHOF solo -- though nice -- wasn't all of that.

And, while a lot was said in the ensuing debate about the nature of Prince's performance during the Harrison tribute, the guitar players at the Org who disputed the notion that the "Weeps" solo was a phenomenon unto itself were roundly dismissed as snobby technique-consumed elitists who know nothing about emotional playing.

So, as I listen to "The Ride" from Crystal Ball (as I do fairly often), I'm struck anew by the sheer ferocity of Prince's soloing on this track. I mean, edits and overdubs aside, this version of the song presents a snapshot of Prince at his absolute best as a guitar player.

I mean, this day, Prince had eaten his Wheaties, for sure!! I don't hear repetitive runs. I don't hear overplaying. I hear P doing some magnificent blues runs, incorporating feedback and sustain and some serious string-bending. The man was ON that day. Ya hear me? He was ON!!!

Here's an aspect about P's playing that sets him apart from many other guitarists: He finds a way to cram notes into tight spaces without sounding sloppy. In between two major phrases in a rock guitar solo, for example, Prince will inject a minor, "mumbled" run of notes. A secondary, quieter phrase. Sometimes, it's just a growl on the strings. But, more often, it's a funky interjection that provides a contrast with the major, cleaner phrases. Make sense?

Well, on "The Ride," Prince is cramming all kinds of extra notes in his solo and in the minor breaks throughout the song. IWhen he's on, as he was that night, Prince is a treat to observe. It's cool seeing how a soloist moves from one idea or step to the next, and Prince's playing is a testament to how he almost thinks 2 steps ahead --- on major and minor levels. That's a gift, man. A gift.

Granted, this is all my opinion. The "... Weeps" solo was good, too. Prince did an admirable job soloing in a song whose chord progression is a bit removed from his usual styles (it's like driving "on the other side of the road" when overseas). To that point, "The Ride" falls more within his blues-based comfort zone.

Cheers


(driving edit)
[This message was edited Fri Apr 2 1:28:40 2004 by ThreadBare]

And another thing ...

I believe U mentioned this but it failed to detur your argument. The presence of overdubs disqualifies this song, "The Ride", for any competition for best solo. Don't get me wrong, that song is GREAT and the guitar work is off da chain, but U can't argue with overdubs. It's kind of like Paul Junior could have been UPS' best employee ever, rising from stock boy to president running increasing all quarter profit margins for 8 years, but his dad Paul worked there as a Driver, so Paul Junior could never get the job.(UPS has a policy about not hiring family(not to say it never has happened))

Here's an assumption, and you know what happens when one assumes, but I've always gathered that the keyboard parts and the echoes were the overdubs. (talk about giving P the benefit of the doubt on a "live" track...)

But, yes, if the guitar parts are overdubs, then I'd agree that version of "the ride" wouldn't be worthy of comparison.

ThreadBare said:

I believe your assumption is correct. the over dubbed parts are echo's and some keys. To me though, their mere presence is disqualifying. I feel he was able to fill in some dead space that was in the solo. It worked excently though, and sounds supurb. But...they're overdubs.

BobGeorge999 said:

Yeah, but the licks he added echoes to were GREAT, man!!! I'd accent them, too, were I in that position!

But, I hear ya. Not totally natural. Not bacon ... facon.

What about the blues jam he did on the new years eve rave concert lets not forget about that. What about just my imagination have you heard the solo on that song.

raider1 said:

Yeah, the Rave and Small Club solos you mention are great, too. I'm not knocking them by any means.

Yea thats cool i think what we are really saying is that we would like some more music with that style of guitar playin at that level agree?.

I concur re:catch me if u can

what aboout the version played on live at the aladdin?
I love that one!

guitarfan said:

I like its intro the best. Prince's playing in the beginnin is really subtle. I don't care for his newfound love for his guitars' whammy bars. I hate the way he's been incorporating that into his playing. It's, like, 20 years late and the most unimaginative part of his playing. Sadly, it has a substantial role in his Aladdin solo.

The night of his induction to the Hall, he came on stage at Club Black in New York City after 1:30am. After playing his set for the RRHOF, and the great solo on While My Guitar Gently Weeps...

da man came on stage and does "Musicology". Wearing a strat instead of his signature Hohner, Prince wailed with one of the most inspired guitar solos I've ever heard him do.

Better than his stuff at the Hall.

Just absolutely amazing...